Directory Ranking Criteria

Like other Internet advertising systems (eg.
Google Adsense), the directories at eXpertGenealogy.com are listed in a order
based on the amount paid for the listing advertisement. This amount is divided
into each of the research specialty directories. For example, a listing included in 10 directories for
which a $90 fee has been paid, will have $9
allocated to each directory whereas a $40 listing for one directory only, will have the entire $40 allocated to one directory. A weighting factor (IMPORTANCE) can be assigned to
each directory so that more is assigned to certain directories.

The directory ranking scheme lets you control
your own ranking within the specialty directories. Five factors are involved;

(1) Annual subscription fees paid for the
current year (CurrentFees)Purpose: Highest ranking for those who pay the highest fees

(2) Annual subscription fees prepaid for
future years (Prepayments)Purpose: Prepayments provide a ranking boost for
the time before they are due

(3) Total accumulated continuous fees paid for all services
for all years (TotalFees)Purpose: Reward long time loyal clients

(5) A number representing the relative
importance of a particular research specialty (IMPORTANCE)Purpose: Allow clients to indicate which specialties are most important

○ Specifying an
IMPORTANCE number of 2 for England research and 1
for USA research means your listing will rank higher in the England directory and
lower in the USA directory than if the numbers were equal.

The ranking is based on a score that is
calculated as follows;

● SCORE = (CurrentFees
+ Prepayments + TotalFees) x
IMPORTANCE(of this research specialty relative to all other specified
specialties)
Because CurrentFees and Prepayments are included in TotalFees, they have twice
the weight of past payments

The IMPORTANCE factor is calculated as follows;

● IMPORTANCE(of this research specialty) / SUM
of IMPORTANCE(of all specified specialties)

You can control your ranking either by

● Making advanced payments for future subscription
years thereby increasing your total accumulated fees paid, or

● Adjusting your IMPORTANCE numbers for
research specialties

○ Increase the numbers for specialties where
you want to appear higher in the directory ranking

To make any changes to your eXpertGenealogy
listing web page, use the LOGIN button at the bottom of the page. Enter your
password and the press the MODIFY button. You will then have the option to
specify an IMPORTANCE number associated with each research specialty. If you have forgotten your password,
use the FORGOT button and your password will be sent to you by email.

Consider the following example.

Two professionals, #1
and #2, each have USA and England as research
specialties. One has purchased the Enhanced Listing Service at CurrentFees=$50
and the second has the Basic Listing Service with CurrentFees=$40. Each has
subscribed for their second year, so the accumulated fees for each is $80 and
$100 respectively. If the both have accepted the default IMPORTANCE number of 1
for both specialties then they will both have the SUMofIMPORTANCE=2 and will be
ranked as follows;

The result above is that half the accumulated
fees is assigned equally to each specialty.

If professional #2 is a specialist in England
research and is less of an expert in USA research, #2 may decide to assign an
IMPORTANCE number of 9 to England research and 1 to USA research. In this
manner, 90% of the accumulated fees are assigned to England and 10% to USA. The
ranking will now be as follows;

In this manner, professional #2 obtains a
higher ranking for the research specialty of higher importance.

How advanced prepayments for future service
boost your ranking

Making advanced prepayments for future
subscriptions years will boost your ranking and avoid price increases in the
future. The value of your current year payment can be boosted by making a
pre-payment for the following year. During the overlap period, the prepayment
will add to your current year payment and therefore boost your ranking.

Case 1: Annual $50 payment

Case2: Annual $50 payment with
prepayment half a year ahead of schedule

2010 $50

2011 $50

Prepayment

2011 prepayment
bonus

Ranked at $100 for
overlap period

2010 $50

2011 $50

Calculation of Total Fees Rewards Continuity

The TotalFees amount is the accumulation of all
fees paid for a continuous subscription. This provides a reward for those who
maintain a continuous presences for their listing on eXpertGenealogy.com. For
those who break the continuity of their subscription, the TotalFees will be the
total of all fees for the most recent continuous subscription period, plus half
of the previous subscription payments.